What is a Flare? One Frustrated Patient’s DefinitionWhen I was first diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and started learning about it, I frequently ran across others with psoriatic arthritis discussing “flares.” I thought, "How will I know when...reactions13comments
Cheerleading My Way through PsALiving with PsA and my other chronic illnesses has taught me that I am my best advocate. Nobody, not one friend, family member, or doctor is going to care for...reactionscomments
Check Your Stress at the DoorI know I have caused many a flare for my best friend who has PsA. I’m guilty, her husband’s guilty, basically anyone she holds near and dear has, at one...reactionscomments
My First Experience With Yoga: Not All Poses HelpI have had psoriatic arthritis for 25 years, but was just diagnosed 10 years ago. Also, recently, I found out I have fibromyalgia. I was in so much pain every...reactionscomments
Five Minute Me-Time ActivitiesWhen you have a chronic disease like psoriatic arthritis, life revolves around scheduling doctors’ appointments, taking medications, easing pain, worrying about flares, new symptoms, old symptoms, insurance problems, and so...reactionscomments
4 Ways to Make Your PsA Treatment More EffectiveIt took me years to find an effective treatment, but that didn't come without a significant amount of trial and error before finding a medication that works for me. I...reactionscomments
Tips for Infusion TherapyThere are several different ways to take biologics for psoriatic arthritis. Some medications come in pill form, others are given in the form of shots, while still others are given...reactionscomments
Waiting to See if My Treatment is WorkingI do not treat PsA the same as I did when I was first diagnosed. In fact, my treatment plan has changed many times throughout the years. Some treatments helped...reactions6comments
When Pain Silences You: Coping When My Jaw Flares UpIf you’ve ever met me, you’d know I’m quite shy. But the moment I warm up to you, you’ll realize I always have something to say. My family and friends...reactionscomments
Should I Use a Hot or Cold Pack When My PsA is Flaring?Recently, I attended the Be Joint Smart event sponsored by the National Psoriasis Foundation. Everyone in attendance heard from medical professionals on the best practices involving treatment, nutrition, and exercise...reactionscomments
Experiencing Brain Fog with Psoriatic ArthritisI have had psoriasis for over 50 years and psoriatic arthritis for 25 years, but was just diagnosed in the past 10 years. Probably one of the most difficult challenges...reactions40comments
Massage Sticks and Vionic Shoes - Your Community RecommendationsWhen managing psoriatic arthritis, sometimes the best recommendations come from fellow sufferers. So we’re keeping track of the products and treatments you say you love! In our last article of...reactionscomments
Saying "No": Overcoming the Guilt of DecliningAm I the only one who struggles with saying, “No,” when asked to do something? I can’t begin to count the number of times I’ve put myself in situations that...reactions5comments
The Impact of PsA on Young Teenagers“Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver, the other is gold.A circle is round, it has no end. That's how long, I will be your friend.” Some...reactions2comments
The Day I Said Goodbye to My Favorite ShoesI recently switched rheumatologists – not because of my doctor, but because of his staff getting in the way of my care and my son's care. When I called the...reactions5comments
Resisting Resentment: Working Through the Anger on My OwnOne of the many things I was not prepared to deal with after being diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis was the resentment I would eventually have towards my friends and family...reactionscomments
How to Keep Holiday Festivities from Increasing Your PsA SymptomsThe holidays are upon us! It’s that time of year when we gather and celebrate with friends and family. It involves more outings than we may be used to as...reactions2comments
My Friend, the Food ProcessorThe first time my jaw flared up, I was fifteen years old and on a family vacation to Walt Disney World. I already wasn’t feeling great to begin with due...reactionscomments
What Can Giving Back Give You?Giving can seem like a one way street. We let go of something that belongs to us - often my money or clothing or food - so that someone in...reactionscomments
Living With Psoriatic Arthritis Induced Fluctuating Hearing LossPeople don’t really understand all of the possible implications of what it means to have psoriatic arthritis. Painful joints? Yes. Swollen digits? Yes. Fatigue? Absolutely. But there are so many...reactions3comments
